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EnezGreen » Îles & Archipels » Scotland » Navigating the Hebrides Islands with Kilda Cruises
Scotland

Navigating the Hebrides Islands with Kilda Cruises

Atlantic Ocean

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Cetacean and sea bird watching

Kilda Cruises offers cruises that are perfect for navigating the turbulent waters of St Kilda. The most reliable and most suited option to discover the wild splendour of St Kilda and the Hebrides Islands.

  • Environment

  • Sustainable policy

  • Service quality

A solid boat that is suited for the seas around Scotland

The St Kilda Cruises boat seems to be one of the best vessels in the Hebrides to navigate the turbulent waters on the way to St Kilda Island. This 22 tonne and 55 ft long boat immediately inspires confidence in passengers. Other companies also offer transfers to the island, but smaller boats are often used, or even sometimes, in fine weather, semi-rigid inflatable boats! It is preferable in this case to check out the weather forecast and bring along some waterproof clothing!

In spite of its remoteness, many people visit this region located in the far reaches of Scotland in summer. It is thus strongly recommended to book in advance. It should be noted that two-day reservations are required, taking into account local weather conditions. Confirmation is provided once you have arrived on Harris Island, i.e. for the next day or the day after.

The boat provides good handling on the water, and handle waves particularly well. Those who do not necessarily have sea legs should note that the return trip is almost always more comfortable than the outward journey and that the ride back is less rough as the waves hit the boat from the back.

The crossing is a unique opportunity to see cetaceans and various sea birds fishing in the area!

Discovering the geological formation of St Kilda

Shortly before reaching your destination, do not hesitate to ask the skipper, Angus, to show you the 3D map of the seabed on the on-board display unit.

The depth sounder allows you to discover in real time what is happening under the boat’s hull.

You will see an immense 55-million-year-old underwater volcano with a 6-mile diameter. At the same time, you will discover before your eyes the last parts of the crater, which rise vertically to over 400 m above the water surface – the islands and islets of St Kilda. You are about to arrive!

The islet of Boreray and the stacks: A remarkable bird sanctuary

After having discovered St Kilda Island and before getting back to the mainland, Angus makes a detour via the neighbouring island of Boreray and the stacks that surround it. These small islands that are bordered by steep cliffs that rise skywards, peaking at 384 m high in Boreray, 172 m in Stac Lee and 196 m in Stac an Armin! Standing at the foot of these vertical walls is a very special feeling.

This amazing décor is completed by hundreds of thousands of birds that nest in entire sections of these cliffs, making you feel like you landed on another planet. On some slops, the dark rocks seem immaculate due to the density of the white-plumaged fauna. Flocks of birds including Northern gannets, petrels and fulmars flutter around in every direction above your heads. You will also see wild Boreray sheep grazing on meagre meadows on steep slows. This species is a survivor of Dunface, which lived in the British Isles thousands of years ago and which disappeared save in a few places such as the Shetland and Hebrides Islands. One wonders how these animals have been able to survive for hundreds, or even thousands of years, in such an environment! It is even more astounding to learn that human beings have indeed lived in this unlikely place … in the Stone Age! During an expedition organised in 2011 by the National Trust of Scotland, which owns and manages these islands, traces of the settlement and culture were discovered on these grassy and dizzying slopes. If you were wondering how human beings managed to survive on Hirta, the main island of St Kilda, you will be even more puzzled given that Hirta appears as a summer holiday location when compared with Boreray.

The half hour that you will spend navigating in this outstanding area will definitely seem too short. The visit of the stacks on its own is well worth the trip from the mainland!

Kilda Cruises

Pricing (from) - 265.00 €

The 2015 price of a trip to St Kilda is € 265 and € 126 for under 16s.
The National Trust for Scotland charges a £ 5 landing fee.

Opening period - All year round.

Cetacean and sea bird watching, key-features

A remarkable marine environment ★★★

The outing departs from the small port of Levenburgh in the south of Harris Island. In summer, the place is protected from the westerly wind gusts.

From this departure point, you can travel to all the islands and islets of the Hebrides, with St Kilda, situated some 50 miles to the west, as the main destination.

This unique and little-known island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and allows visitors to discover amazing landscapes, one-of-a-kind history and a rare wildlife.

Depending on weather conditions and on the reservations programme, St Kilda offers other opportunities for discovery in this archipelago with an incredible wealth of marine landscapes and a remarkable marine wildlife.

Quality service for environmental discovery ★

St Kilda Cruises offered by professional seafarers who know the region by heart and thus guarantee quality service. Angus Campbell, the owner and skipper, has been an offshore fisherman for over 20 years. Out of passion for his beautiful region, he decided to change trades and practise this tourist activity in summer while continuing to fish crustaceans in winter. You can ask him every possible question and he will always give you a quality answer whether it is on the flora, the fauna or geological formations.

During the crossing, you have a good chance of crossing the path of dolphins or other cetacean species. Angus records the geographical coordinates and nature of each encounter. The on-board GPS keeps a record of all the locations of encounters in recent years. This allows him to show you and provide you with some explanation on the frequentation of the area by certain species. All the data is regularly sent to the Wise Scheme organisation, which collects data from operators who have subscribed to the code of conduct when experiencing cetaceans. The Wise Scheme system is the British standard for whale watching operators. Its goal is to promote a responsible approach through training, accreditation and sensitisation of whale watching operators, passengers, leisure craft owners and skippers.

The information provided by the WDCS is available on board as well as works on the unique history, fauna and flora of St Kilda.

Comfort and services ★★

In these latitudes, where low-pressure systems are very frequent, a quality boat is required. Such is the case for the two boats owned by St Kilda Cruises, which can accommodate both 12 passengers. ORCA III is a catamaran and Hirta is 55 ft long and was constructed by the Safehaven shipyard in Ireland, which is specialised in making sturdy work boats. It is equipped with two 700 HP engines, which allow the boat to reach a cruising speed of 18 knots.

The boat is equipped with standard security equipment, i.e. two life rafts each with a capacity of 8 persons, inflatable life jackets and sophisticated communication equipment. The professional quality electronic equipment comprises a pilot, a positioned, a chart plotter and a sounder, all of them in duplicate.

This very comfortable vessel comprises a closed cabin with upholstered seating and individual flaps for each of the 12 passengers. It is fitted with toilets and a kitchen area for coffee or tea making. The outside view when seated is excellent.

On-board service is provided by Angus, who is always at the helm, and by a sailor who is very vigilant on safety issues: it is out of the question to venture on the stern platform without wearing a life jacket or to hang around on the passageway leading to the deck, even if you want to take the photo of a lifetime.

The crew has been sailing these seas for decades and knows perfectly the species encountered and will provide answers to your questions.

They will take passengers to the island in a dinghy, but the visit of St Kilda is not provided in the programme. You are thus free as the wind, which often blows strongly in these areas.

A surprise awaits you after a hike on the island. The captain will take you to the foot of the cliffs of neighbouring islets (stacks) where you will discover the thousands of birds that nest there. This is an incredible and unbelievable moment, unless you have already experienced it before!

The total travel time at sea is about 7 hours. Passengers have to bring their own picnic that they can royally enjoy while perched atop one of the cliffs of St Kilda Island.

On the way back, the crew sill offer you various cakes and beverages, without forgetting, of course, an excellent whisky for enthusiasts!

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